Not in the manner they think. "Carnival" hypnotism isn't real hypnotism.
One can enter a relaxed state (via meditation) where they are better able to "hear" themselves (by cutting out the mind chatter). In this state, they may be able to see "things" more clearly. However, one can also tell themselves something long enough and they will they believe it - relaxed or not. With enough practice, one can learn to control their body while in this deep relaxed state (alter heartbeat, temporarily ease pain, etc.). However, they can't make themselves cluck like a chicken whenever they hear the word "pumpkins".
Anyone can learn to enter this relaxed state - divert attention and focus. Therapist who claim to hypnotize are simply helping one enter this relaxed state (by diverting their focus).
It is meditating (focusing). Yes I've tried it (I was taught it). I use it to relieve stress, ease pain, get to sleep, "iron out" cramps, ease depression, and more. And, on a few occasions, I've been able to change my heartbeat through it. This deep state of relaxation isn't 100% effective all the time, and there are many times when I can't even get myself into it.
Yoga is a form of meditation. Yes, I've tried it. It helped me be able to move my arms after my rotator cuff injury.
You had a rotator cuff injury? Jim did too and it required an operation. Did yours cure itself by exercise and meditation Shuhak? Long ago I had what was called "frozen shoulder". I went to physical therapy and did exercises to see if that would help else I was going to have to have an operation. The way it was described was horrendously painful. I was told they would have to rip the adhesions apart to free the shoulder. I hoped the physical therapy would work and it did. Jim's surgery took about year to recuperate from. Thank you for your reply Shuhak! :)
Yes. That's why I stopped working. It was brought on by (no surprise here) excessive stress. I had over a year of therapy (that's where I leaned how to meditatie). It was almost a year before I could lift my arms without pain. Until just recently my arms, hands, fingers and shoulders would,on occasions, suddenly freeze up (I have carpal tunnel too).
When it hit me I couldn't raise my arm. So any clothing that required me to raise my arms to put on over my head wasn't going to work. I had to go out and buy some tops that were button down. And washing my hair meant leaning over with my head down. No more standing under the showerhead and putting my arms up to wash my hair. Unless you've been there you can't imagine what it's like. I'm glad you were able to get better with physical therapy. I'm trying to imagine what you mean by "freezing up". You mean immobilized? That sounds pretty scary. Do you wear those wrist bands I see cashiers wear who have carpal tunnel? Remember Gilda Radner (she married Gene Wilder)? She got cancer and beat it but it came back. I remember something she said that stuck with me. "If it's not one thing it's another". That always makes me smile though it is tinged with sadness. But isn't that true? If it's not one thing it's another. Yet we're still here so that counts for something. Thank you for your reply Shuhak and Happy Thursday to you and yours. :)
This post was edited by RosieG at December 3, 2020 9:16 AM MST
I'm sorry Shuhak but how can wristbands that are supposed to help alleviate pain be painful? I have a back brace that I wear very short term from time to time. It has STEEL STAYS in the back and the support is comforting. I can't wear it all the time because the doc said that would cause my back muscles to possibly atrophy from disuse. So I wear it judiciously being aware it cannot be a permanent crutch because it will harm me. So are those wristbands like that except they don't even provide short-term relief from pain? That's very sad. Thank you for your reply! :)
This post was edited by RosieG at December 3, 2020 2:58 PM MST
Shuhak 